Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and how you got involved in this new venture?

I am President of Suncrest Homes, a Northern California based homebuilding, development, and financial services company.

Ever since my retirement from the NFL in 1979 I have been involved in real estate development.  We started Suncrest Homes in 1996.

How did your time in Pittsburgh help in any way – any coaching or playing lessons help you? If so, how?

My time in Pittsburgh was very beneficial to my growth and development as a person and future businessman.  I learned more life lessons from the Rooney family, the Steelers management team and the Steelers coaching staff than I had before or have since those few years I spent there.

Continue reading “Gordon Gravelle, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1972-1976”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

When I retired from Pittsburgh I didn’t really go anywhere. I came back to the family business – we had a water-well, drilling business. I took it over – my grandfather ran it before but he was long in the tooth. We also had a meat processing business and developed some land for housing in the 90’s.

We did a bit of everything really. But the main work is the water-drilling business.

You came into the league as an undrafted free agent. How hard was that for you to make the team and how did you deal with the pressure?

Well, at that time there were twelve rounds in the draft. Pittsburgh drafted a couple tight ends – they had Cunningham, Rogers and a young guy they really liked in Chris Kolojeski. But Chris got a severe knee injury.

Continue reading “Preston Gothard, Steelers Tight End, 1985-1988”

First, can you let readers know about what you’ve been doing with yourself since football? 

Well, I’m currently in my last semester at Nova South Eastern University obtaining my Master in Business Administration with a concentration in management.

I filmed and directed a documentary “A tale of 5 the documentary “.  I’m currently in the process of starting a football camp where we bring football to student athletes year round. “Swagger camp” powered by 360Football Academy.com.

Continue reading “Najeh Davenport, Steelers Running Back, 2006-2008”

First, can you tell readers what you are doing with yourself these days?

My wife would ask what I’m not doing. I’m on radio and tv – analyzing football of course. Working with Animal Planet as well on a show – of course working in my lifelong interest in animals.

There was a  fire recently that destroyed my snake business – I lost 2,500 snakes. I’m now trying to reconfigure the business into something new. Not breeding – but helping breeders with this new animal shipping business that helps reptile breeders get animals anywhere in the country.

Continue reading “Chad Brown, Steelers Linebacker, 1993-1996, 2006”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I’m retired. I had my hip replaced twenty-five years ago. My left knee replaced eleven years ago. My right knee ten years ago and my right should December of 2010.

Football injuries?

More than likely. I feel fine though.  Thank God for store-bought parts! Without prosthetics, I wouldn’t be here.

You came to the Steelers in 1961 as a tenth round pick. How much pressure did you feel to make the team?

No pressure at all, really.

In Notre Dame there were no athletic dorms  – we stayed with the other students. And no phones in our rooms. At both ends of each hall were payphones. Well, when I was drafted, a guy came down from the end of the hall and told me I had a phone call.  It was Fran Fogerty of the Steelers. He was the one that told me I was drafted and told me I should come in to sign my contract.

Continue reading ““Red” Mack, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1961-1963, 1965″

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I work at an alternative school – crisis management school for kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. We help kids who have difficulties in school to get their behaviors under control so they can get back to the mainstream schools.

I work in construction as well, but it’s really slow right now.

How did you get started as a teacher?

I worked for fifteen years in construction, but the industry has gone down.  A friend of mine who was a teacher thought I’d be good working with him as a teacher. I worked in Pittsburgh helping delinquent youth so I had some experience in doing that. I just started teaching last year.

Continue reading “Eric Williams, Steelers Safety, 1983-1986”

First, Can you let readers know about your work as Principal of the Bullard Intermediate School District? What brought you to this role and what are your greatest challenges?

I began my Education career at age 52 after another career in insurance. I work as the Principal of 5th and 6th graders. I have always enjoyed young people (coached for six years ) . I work very hard at trying to be a role model for my kids. They are faced with many challenges that my generation did not have to cope with.

You came into the NFL in 1964 – who helped mentor you as a rookie with those Pittsburgh teams and how did they do so?

Charlie Bradshaw-Great guy and a Texan-Bobby Layne-trying to show me what being competitive is all about. Andy Russell–Great team example, hard worker.

Continue reading “Tommy Wade, Steelers Quarterback, 1964-1965”

First, can you let readers know what you are do with yourself these days?

I’m retired now. I’m writing a book about Penn State coach Lou Prado  and the Steelers – about my time coaching for both and all the other places I’ve coached. I’ve coached in over fourteen places I guess – seven pro teams and the rest college.

How did you get involved with the Steelers – how did you start working for Chuck Noll in 1971?

I started off as the defensive line coach for Chuck in ’71. I did it under the condition that I could coach during the day and go to school at night. But I had four kids and my wife was really raising them alone, so the day before I was going to start night school I decided not to do it.

Continue reading “Dan Radakovich, Steelers DL & OL Coach, 1971, 1974-1977”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and how your health is?

After retiring from the Patriots in 1979 I moved to Spartanburg, SC to work for Jostens, Inc. and have been with them since 1981.

Jostens has made most of the professional championship rings including five of the six Steelers rings and the one I still wear from 1974. I work mainly in the high schools in the upstate of SC but have also work on many of the Pro and College Championship rings. My oldest son Travis and wife Sharon also work with me for Jostens.

I also have three  other children: Molly is in real estate and living in Charleston,SC, Matt is an attorney in Birmingham, Al and Andy is in his first year of Law School at UGA. They are all great kids and love the Steelers!

Continue reading “Dick Conn, Steelers Cornerback, 1974”